MUNICH (Germany) - With only a couple of weeks to go until the start of the highly anticipated FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025, it's a perfect time to throw a new set of Power Rankings into the mix.
The excitement is palpable with so many different teams having a realistic shot at hunting down a medal place or spot in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments - as well as plenty of underdogs looking to make some shock moves.
Taking into account the results and performances in preparation games, plus the all-important draw and roster updates, here's how our Expert Panel are calling it.
1. France (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 3rd
Even without a trio of key ballers for the tournament, it still feels like France are the team to beat and that speaks volumes about their overall quality and depth. Their defense intensity is unreal whatever lineup is out on the floor. Meanwhile with some leaders absent, it opens up opportunities for others to rise up and show even more.
Unbeaten in their first prep games, including blowing Belgium away 91-42 in the opening game of their double-header in Brest, they have made a real statement of intent. Not unbeatable, but it's looking like their title to lose.
2. Belgium (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th
There will be no need to press the panic button despite that huge defeat to France and a downwards Power Rankngs move would surely be a knee-jerk reaction. Not least because they are waiting for their hugely talented and experienced backcourt duo to arrive in the shape of Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo.
They have also recorded a trio of wins alongside that setback in France, beating Italy twice and rolling past Sweden with ease. Playcaller Mike Thibault has given the younger ballers plenty of court time and with Emma Meesseman always able to turn up the dial when it matters most, it's time for the Cats to keep the faith.
3. Spain (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th
Defense, defense and a bit more defense. That strangulation of opposing offenses will be the source of possible title success for Spain and after a strong start in prep, a move to our virtual power rankings podium is well earned. They didn't just lock down Italy and Greece, they swallowed the key! Just 82 points conceded across both games.
There is no doubt that the injuries ruling out Maite Cazorla and Queralt Casas will impact on their ability to be in absolute top gear. But as a group, they look to have re-discovered their DNA and Miguel Mendez has them playing hard-nosed team basketball on both ends. Young gun Awa Fam has impressed to stake her claim for a spot.
4. Slovenia (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd
A Semi-Finals spot - really? Are we piling the pressure onto Slovenia and ramping up expectations unfairly with their high placing, or is their a basis to beleive? They are engaged in some seriously intense and lengthy preparation, have a great head coach, super starting five and could even have a MVP candidate in Jessica Shepard. The fly in the ointment will still be the seriously tough group they have been pitched into. The line between their best ever finish and crashing out in disappointing circumstances looks to be tantalizingly thin. They only just squeezed out Portugal in their preparation game, but overall it's so far, so good.
5. Germany (-2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th
Have the wheels come off already for Germany and derailed the podium challenge that many observers had them pencilled in for? Well, that might be a little dramatic, but they are up against it without three frontcourt rollers in the unavailable Sabally sisters and also the injured Marie Guelich who is such an important figure.
This heaps a major spotlight on the trio of Alexis Peterson, Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsoder to carry them. At least Germany did show in 2023 that they can still deliver without major stars. Much is already hinging on the role and impact of the supporting cast and whether they can deliver under pressure in front of sell-out home crowds.
6. Italy (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th
It could be a crushing blow to be without the injured Matilde Villa, not only for Italy themselves but for basketball fans in general who will have had the young guard as one of the top rising stars to watch. But there is no time for Italy to mourn the loss as time is ticking and they need to move on from a 1-3 start to preparation.
Maybe that record should have seen the Azzurre fall a bit lower in the rankings, but it's been rough being without Cecilia Zandalasini also, meaning they have been playing without a bonafide starting backcourt pairing. Defense will be the only way to make a deep run as they don't look to have the firepower to keep pace with some teams.
7. Türkiye (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th
With two losses in three games, it's not been the best start and that bad luck was exacerbated when head coach Ekrem Memnun was hospitalized with a leg injury. But in mitigation, the first loss was against title favorites France on the road and after being defeated by Lithuania, they struck back and showed resilience to get a first prep win.
Also Türkiye will rely on Teaira McCowan like few other nations rely on one marquee baller and she is not yet in the camp. Her arrival will be huge for the team and add to the positive waves made by fellow frontcourt ballers Elif Bayram and Tilbe Senyurek who impressed in the victory against Lithuania.
8. Czechia (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th
Even if Germany were short-handed, a convincing win against their fellow co-hosts during this early preparation period has added big confidence to the Czech camp. Having Julie Reisingerova in the paint gives them such a strong feel and she will surely be an anchor at both ends of the court and the key player at this summer's event.
With captain Tereza Vyoralova really stepping up these days and Emma Cechova continually enhancing her growing reputation, it's looking good. With friendlies in Brno upcoming and a sense of how homecourt comforts could work in their favour, perhaps it's time for Czechia to go beyond the group stage and into the top eight again.
9. Serbia (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th
There is a sense of deja vu right now as Serbia start their preparations with many anticipating a potential struggle at this year's edition. But we have all be here before - many times. Right? But is this really now the time when they struggle to maintain their proud record of the last 10-12 years at the event? A loss to Portugal to tip preparations was a blow and that came after a loss to the same opponent at the end of the Qualifiers. Maybe the Portuguese team just have their number. Marina Maljkovic has always pulled something out of the hat, but it looks like she might have to complete her biggest trick yet for her team to be a success.
10. Lithuania (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th
Fresh from the celebrations of booking their return to the top table for the first time in a decade, the hard-nosed business of making sure they don't waste their opportunity is well underway. So far they have split with Türkiye 1-1 on the road and that is a positive sign they are looking well placed to push for a possible Quarter-Finals place.
The win came without two of their leaders in Juste Jocyte and Kamile Nacickaite, which made it even more sweet. Meanwhile, they could have extra depth and competition after Gabby Nikitinaite chose to play for the team rather than Great Britain and she could be a good option off the bench, while Laura Juskaite continues to look lively.
11. Greece (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st
It does feel slightly generous to leave Greece marked down just one place after a tricky start to preparation which has seen them slump to double-digit defeats at the hands of both Spain and Italy. However, it could be used as fuel for their campaign as they thrive in adversity and the warrior spirit is never far away when needed most.
So far it looks like it will have to rise to the surface sooner rather than later, although one of the reasons for the lack of a greater fall is that Maria Fasoula has impressed. On top of this, there is certainly more to follow from other key ballers and if they cadd a naturalized pick in these next weeks, that would be a possible game-changer.
12. Great Britain (+2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th
The sense of relief must be cascading through the veins of head coach Anna Montanana and British fans after Holly Winterburn stepped out in camp in the wake of surgery. A huge reason for cheer was also the inclusion of potential naturalized options which may bring further depth and talent to the table.
So often an underdog, once in a while Great Britain have come up with the goods - such as their shock run to the Semi-Finals in 2019. With Winterburn and Rickards a potential backcourt partnership and with Temi Fagbenle in the paint and the likes of Cheridene Green and Savannah Wilkinson for support, things are now looking brighter.
13. Portugal (+2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 40th
It feels like the momentum is with Portugal right now and that is fantastic news for the tournament rookies. They have been loving life as a FIBA Women's EuroBasket competitor in waiting, with this emotion super-charged even more after they took down Serbia in Belgrade. That also came after only suffering a narrow 1-point loss to Slovenia.
History will happen when they step out at the tournament for the first time. After a bright start to prep, there is every chance another slice of history could be served by way of a first win - or two. But will this feel-good factor last or will it fade away? It's Spain and Switzerland up next on the friendlies list and that will be intriguing.
14. Sweden (-2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th
Very harsh, it's true. But the one time Sweden stepped out so far in preparation, they had a very shaky start with a big loss to Belgium by almost 30 points. That might end up being a blessing as a wake-up call because while they topped their group and took an early ticket which was fantastic, they only just slid past Great Britain twice.
So that opens the door to what the true expectations are for Sweden? Has the opener against Cats made them more realistic, or was that just a blip? We will see and there is no doubt that Kevin Taylor Lundgren and his ballers have the capacity to come bouncing back.
15. Montenegro (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th
It's tough to have to move Montenegro down since they have actually been winning games and working out as a team in competitive action. However, it's tough to give props to the Small Nations Tournament they have topped, with most of the sides they have faced a million miles away from what they will go up against later this month.
The good news is that Jelena Skerovic and her team have looked relatively slick and so come the next volume of these power rankings, they might be on an upward curve. But anyways, when did Montenegro ever care what anyone thought? They always pack a punch and defy the doubters over and over again!
16. Switzerland (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th The Swiss are one of the few teams to have yet tipped off their preparations at the time of writing, but when you have already waited 70 years for a return, what's the issue with a few extra days than many of your rivals? With the first test against Serbia incoming, we will soon know a lot more about the underdogs and how they can compete.
Without even bouncing a ball, they will have noticed that Group opponents Greece have not exactly been clicking into gear and that will be of huge encouragement. Perhaps sensing blood in the water, could Switzerland bite the co-hosts and cause a shock? We will know more very soon - watch this space! *The Power Rankings are out together by our Expert Panel. They are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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